Human Life Prioritized

Human Life Prioritized

Genesis 9: So God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them: “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth. ² And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be on every beast of the earth, on every bird of the air, on all that move on the earth, and on all the fish of the sea. They are given into your hand. ³ Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. I have given you all things, even as the green herbs. ⁴ But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood. ⁵ Surely for your lifeblood I will demand a reckoning; from the hand of every beast I will require it, and from the hand of man. From the hand of every man’s brother I will require the life of man.

 

⁶ “Whoever sheds man’s blood,
By man his blood shall be shed;
For in the image of God
He made man.
⁷ And as for you, be fruitful and multiply;
Bring forth abundantly in the earth
And multiply in it.”

 

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Life as Noah was used to had changed. No longer would things be the same. GOD had not spoken to Noah’s sons before. Perhaps they were not interested, BUT GOD was starting humanity over. Satan had caused humans to fall. His demons fell and birthed giants. Noah’s sons were living in a world that could care less about GOD.

 

They got married, possibly to descendants of Cain or maybe from the lineage of the giants, spawned from the demonic union. Whatever the case, GOD saw something different in Noah’s sons that HE had to provide clarity to.

 

My Observations:

• GOD values all human life, male and female.
• GOD allowed humans to eat any animal, bird or bug as food.
• GOD specifically emphasized that humans should not be killed or eaten.

 

Turning the planet over to Noah and his family showed the change in the relationship between GOD and humans. GOD would no longer walk with the humans, BUT HE would talk with them. Noah’s sons did not cower in fear when hearing GOD, because perhaps they were used to hearing HIM talk to Noah.

 

GOD gave instructions to grow HIS kingdom. HE blessed humans with dominion over the earth. Animals and bugs were changed during this blessing. They would not own the earth, rather become food. All vegetation could be used by humans as they saw fit. Abundance was established again. Humans were placed on top.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD seem to change the relationship between HIM and Noah’s sons?
• Have you ever started something and came to a point where it was someone else who would be responsible for carrying it forward?
• Can you be fruitful with your creativity and multiply what GOD has given you so HIS kingdom will be expanded abundantly?

Life Preserver

Life Preserver

Genesis 6: ¹⁷ And behold, I Myself am bringing floodwaters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die. ¹⁸ But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall go into the ark—you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. ¹⁹ And of every living thing of all flesh you shall bring two of every sort into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. ²⁰ Of the birds after their kind, of animals after their kind, and of every creeping thing of the earth after its kind, two of every kind will come to you to keep them alive. ²¹ And you shall take for yourself of all food that is eaten, and you shall gather it to yourself; and it shall be food for you and for them.”

 

²² Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.

 

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Noah had to design a habitat to preserve all of life. He wasn’t given a timeframe for how long this habitat would be needed. It would have to perpetually provide food and recycle waste. From insects to birds to animals, Noah had to design a place that would house two of every “sort.”

 

My Observations:

• GOD gave Noah the ingenuity to design and build a habitat to preserve all of life.
• GOD had in HIS plan a way to keep life going despite the declaration of total destruction.
• GOD declared salvation through small numbers.

 

There was no mistake made when GOD created a habitat that would sustain bugs, animals and humans, The Garden of Eden was perfect and the relationship between humans and wildlife was harmonious. Satan’s pride caused humans to fall. They would no longer desire to be with GOD, much like today.

 

GOOD found favor in one human, Noah. He would be given the task to preserve things that grew or that could procreate. Seeds would have to be collected. The bugs and animals would come to him to “keep them alive.” Noah had his hands full. He may have solicited help and was possibly met with ridicule. No one knew what was coming.

 

Challenge

• How do you think Noah felt when he heard the news that every living thing on earth would die?
• Do you see GOD’s plan of salvation in HIS declaration of destruction?
• Are you focusing on the task GOD has given you to preserve life eternally?

Harvest Time

Harvest Time

Revelation 14: ¹⁴ Then I looked, and there was a white cloud, and sitting on the cloud was what looked like a human being, with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. ¹⁵ Then another angel came out from the temple and cried out in a loud voice to the one who was sitting on the cloud, “Use your sickle and reap the harvest, because the time has come; the earth is ripe for the harvest!” ¹⁶ Then the one who sat on the cloud swung his sickle on the earth, and the earth's harvest was reaped.

 

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Seeing vegetables grow was something that excited me from my youth. It started when I planted some tomatoes and got so many, that we could not give them away!

 

• I planted seeds and watered the plants to make sure they were nourished.
• I removed weeds from the plants to keep them from overtaking my garden.
• When it was harvest time, it was very obvious, as fruit from my labor appeared.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, saw a figure that “looked like a human being” who was ready for a harvest. He also heard an angel explain that the “earth is ripe for the harvest. “

 

My Observations:

• JESUS said “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few” meaning there are a lot of people who need to be served by those who believe in JESUS, but few believers will go out to serve.
• Lots and lots of believers will be harvested by GOD someday.
• Seeds of GOD’s message needs to grow in the hearts of believers and once ripe, will be ready to bear fruit.

 

Once fruit is bared, it requires to be harvested. That sounds obvious. But what about human fruit? Once GOD has seen the seeds of HIS word grow in the heart of humans, belief, faith, perseverance and fruit production is produced.

 

We are supposed to plant seeds of faith wherever we go. We may also hear what seeds someone else has put in the hears of humans and add our water to help that message grow. GOD adds the HOLY SPIRIT to produce fruit that HE will one day harvest.

 

Challenge

• What was difficult for the writer to describe?
• Have you ever tried to grow plants that bear fruits or vegetables?
• Will you take GOD’s commandment to heart and love your neighbor as you love yourself, so you can bear fruit today?

Wisdom Choice

Wisdom Choice

James 3: ¹³ Are there any of you who are wise and understanding? You are to prove it by your good life, by your good deeds performed with humility and wisdom. ¹⁴ But if in your heart you are jealous, bitter, and selfish, don't sin against the truth by boasting of your wisdom. ¹⁵ Such wisdom does not come down from heaven; it belongs to the world, it is unspiritual and demonic. ¹⁶ Where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is also disorder and every kind of evil. ¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is pure first of all; it is also peaceful, gentle, and friendly; it is full of compassion and produces a harvest of good deeds; it is free from prejudice and hypocrisy. ¹⁸ And goodness is the harvest that is produced from the seeds the peacemakers plant in peace.

 

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After being on academic probation, I decided to stop partying for a while and study. I got on the dean’s list that semester, so I felt pretty good about “my” achievement. I could not share the achievement with some people because I was still bitter over what happened.

 

• I made a choice to keep bitterness in my heart.
• I chose to remain wounded instead of trying to heal.
• As “smart” as people told me I was, I still did not have life together.

 

James addressed two types of wisdom. One came from the world and the other from above. He describes the wisdom of the world as unspiritual and demonic due to the lack of good deeds and peace.

 

My Observations:

• GOD’s wisdom produces good deeds through me.
• GOD’s wisdom enables me to have peace that is beyond understanding.
• GOD’s wisdom is friendly, gentle and free from prejudice, so HE wants me to choose HIS way.

 

Removing GOD from anything is not wise. I mean, GOD is the creator of everything. HE made the people, places and things we study and hypothesize about. When I come up with a conclusion that GOD does not have anything to do with what I am observing, or I think human wisdom is greater than GOD, I get in deep trouble. GOD has an better path.

 

GOD desires that I choose to be gentle, compassionate and friendly so I can produce good deeds for HIM. The less I give credit to the world, the more GOD shows me HIS infinite wisdom. I am glad GOD produces the harvest, which is full of goodness.

 

Challenge

• What two types of wisdom does the writer discuss?
• Have you ever been jealous, bitter or selfish?
• Will you seek GOD’s wisdom by letting go of yours to obtain HIS today?

Living in the Light

Living in the Light

Ephesians 5: ⁶ Do not let anyone deceive you with foolish words; it is because of these very things that God's anger will come upon those who do not obey him. ⁷ So have nothing at all to do with such people. ⁸ You yourselves used to be in the darkness, but since you have become the Lord's people, you are in the light. So you must live like people who belong to the light, ⁹ for it is the light that brings a rich harvest of every kind of goodness, righteousness, and truth.

 

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Sneaking out the house under the cover of darkness, I was able to do what I wanted to do “without being detected.” In fact, many things I did that I did not want people to know, seemed to occur at night or in hidden moments.

 

• I was ashamed so I hid what I did.
• I was taught what was right and wanted to do wrong and hide it until I could figure out words to justify my actions.
• I did not want people to know the hidden side of me so I omitted the truth or ran with people who accepted what I was doing.

 

“Act like you belong to GOD” was the warning of Paul. He guided everyone to examine their old ways and to turn away from things that were not pleasing to GOD. This would come at a price. Some relationships would need to be severed and a new way of thinking needed to be pursued.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants to protect people from my dark ways.
• GOD wants me to turn from ways that are not pleasing to HIM so I can live for HIM without worry.
• GOD wants me to depend on HIS power to forgive and provide in the light.

 

Living in the light does not mean darkness goes away from my actions. I mean, I was born a sinner and this nature will remain until I am with CHRIST forever. But until then I have a choice that seems to fight each other.

 

People can easily fool me into believing something that is not pleasing to HIM or I can fool myself into falling away from GOD. BUT HE guides me back to HIM and gives me a better way to live. HE wants me to be brave enough expose my hidden sin so it will no longer have a hold on me. HIS light brings a rich harvest. I am glad HE brings goodness, righteousness and truth.

 

Challenge

• What is the writers warning to you?
• What does living in the light look like in your life?
• Will you examine yourself and see if there are ways that need to be brought to light so GOD can provide a rich harvest through you and in you today?

Generous Benefits

John 4: ³¹ Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.”

³² But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.”

³³ Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?”

³⁴ “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. ³⁵ Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. ³⁶ Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. ³⁷ Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. ³⁸ I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.”

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“Turn them on” were the words I seldomly heard, but they came out of the owners mouth this time. As I saw the lights come on and heard the machines whir, I was filled with excitement. My bowling alley job finally had benefits. I joined in and bowled as much as I wanted to that day, for free!

• I have received some great benefits on various jobs.
• I have been given some wonderful benefits, but I had to work for them.
• I have enjoyed some delightful benefits and sometimes I became more demanding because I thought I “deserved” more.

The disciples tried to get JESUS to eat. Little did they know they were in for a lesson. JESUS introduces them to a different kind of food. This food was to be eaten eternally. HE was speaking of HIS favorite currency, namely people.

• JESUS wants me to go out and bring people back to HIM.
• JESUS wants me to reap HIS harvest where I did not plant the seeds of HIS wisdom.
• JESUS wants me to open my eyes and see someone who may be seeking something and point that something to HIM.

Seeing a plentiful harvest for GOD takes open spiritual eyes. Instead of complaining about “those” people, GOD may want me to pray for them. HE gives me opportunities to reap a harvest every day.

Each person I pass can be prayed for. Some may even stop and listen to the words GOD puts in my mouth at the right time. I am grateful GOD guides me to go get HIS harvest.

• Are you working hard for your “benefits?”
• Are you concerned you do not have any benefits?
• Will you ask GOD to open your spiritual eyes and allow HIM to give you the right words to bring many people to HIS harvest today?

Time to Go

Mark 1: ³⁵ Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. ³⁶ Simon and his companions went to look for him, ³⁷ and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”

³⁸ Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” ³⁹ So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

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Bright stars clearly shone as I woke very early in the morning that day. Another opportunity had dried up and I was facing my last two weeks at this particular place.  GOD had provided my next location and I was on a new journey.

• GOD doesn’t want me to sit in one place too long.
• GOD wants me to go and preach the gospel wherever I am.
• GOD desires that I go to nearby villages to preach HIS word.

Many times I have asked GOD. “Why are YOU moving me from this place?” especially when I liked the city or the people. GOD says to me “The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the LORD of the harvest to send out laborers into HIS harvest.”

I now understand that GOD sometimes wants me to venture to a new place for HIS purposes. HE has a plan for me to speak to “that” person and I should be willing to go. HE enables circumstances to arise so I can move to where HE leads me. GOD sends me to HIS harvest at the right time.

• Are you being sent?
• Is GOD calling you to a new harvest of HIS?
• Will you accept HIS calling and go to where HE is sending you?

Fate of the Seed

Matthew 13: ³⁶ Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”

³⁷ He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. ³⁸ The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, ³⁹ and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.

⁴⁰ “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. ⁴¹ The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. ⁴² They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. ⁴³ Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.

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GOD put me here for a purpose, namely to speak about HIS SON. Everything else is a distraction. Yet I find myself focused on the things and worries of the world. People tend to pop up with new shiny messages that keep me from focusing on the glory of GOD.

• GOD wants me to focus on HIM daily.
• GOD wants me to seek HIS face each and every day.
• GOD wants me to believe in HIM, not in humans around me.

One day GOD will harvest those who believe in HIM. I’m not just talking about HIS existence. I’m speaking about HIS love. The way HE died and was raised from the dead. I’m talking about the HOLY SPIRIT who was sent on my behalf, who now lives in me. That belief!

GOD does not want me to be part of the weeds, so HE grows me to bear fruit.

• Are you being distracted with the things of the world?
• Do you desire to be grown?
• Can you allow yourself to be led of GOD’s SPIRIT today?

Harassed and Helpless

Matthew 9: ³⁵ Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. ³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷ Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. ³⁸ Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

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Walking down the hallway of my dorm, a guy stuck his head out of a room and screamed “Hey [racial name]!” and slammed the door giggling. Filled with rage, I went to the night clerk who was six feet, five inches and my friend. We banged on the door until they opened it, there were seven or eight guys in the room.

“Who is the guy who made slurs at my friend?” I pointed the guy out by hitting him on the back of his head. Nothing good came out of the situation. For the rest of the year, the floor had tension.

• There were times when I have been harassed.
• There were times when I have felt helpless.
• There have been times I have taken matters into my own hands and did not get very far.

Rage, anger and hatred are values that get me into trouble. When I feel like retaliating, but cannot, I feel helpless. When someone else attacks me I immediately go on the defense, ready to go to war with them. We will go blow for blow until everyone loses. BUT GOD wants me to behave differently.

• GOD wants me to see the sickness and disease of humanity.
• GOD wants me to have compassion on the crowd.
• GOD wants me to ask HIM “Please send out workers into YOUR field.”

Falling down the hole of rage blinds me to the ailment “we” all have, namely sin. I elevate “that” person’s sins over mine and blame them for all of the world’s problems. GOD wants me to calm down for a moment and pray to HIM so HIS Good News can be spread. The Good News is that JESUS has already won and there is no fight!

GOD wants my rage to be replaced with HIS compassion. HE took care of it all.

• Are you being harassed by life?
• Do you feel helpless?
• Can you stop focusing on the harassment and look at GOD’s deliverance?
• Will you ask GOD for more of HIS workers to help spread the Good News?